Kolkata: Real Madrid started their Champions League journey with a 2-1 victory over Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu in which Kylian Mbappé and Federico Valverde found the net in the opening 25 minutes of the tie.
Inter dominated possession in the opening stages of the match and were clinical in their build-up play before a pair of defensive errors gifted Real Madrid the initiative. Mbappé opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Brahim Díaz intercepted a loose touch from a defender and squared for the France international to finish past José Martínez.
Valverde added a second goal for the hosts in the 23rd minute after a misplaced clearance from the Inter goalkeeper gave him a glorious opportunity to score into an open goal.
Inter refused to give up after falling two goals behind as they searched for a way back into the game. Their substitute Carlos Augusto pulled one back for his side in the 77th minute to set up a thrilling finale.
Despite Real Madrid hanging on to the lead until the final whistle, José Mourinho’s side were forced to defend desperately in the closing stages as Thibaut Courtois played a key role at the back.
Inter Milan had threatened to score throughout the match as they enjoyed the majority of possession. They also started the encounter in devastating fashion which makes their failure to register a points haul all the more disappointing.
The result represents the perfect start to Real Madrid’s European campaign whilst Inter’s fine display will be severely soured by the fact they were undone by two defensive errors in the opening half. The result also means Real Madrid have now won six of their last seven encounters with the Nerazzurri.
For Madrid, Mbappé’s opener and Valverde’s well-timed goal proved to be the difference in a contest where intensity was key. Inter were good enough in the second half to suggest that they can mix it with the best in Europe but must learn to cut out errors if they are to go far in the tournament.
